Meeting People

Hungarians extend warm greetings. However, initial introductions, especially in business, are formal.

- If you do not speak the language, greet people with a firm handshake, look in their eyes and say your name.

- If you speak some Hungarian, say "Üdvözlöm" plus your name (eg. John Smith vagyok) and "Örülök, hogy
megismerhetem." (I’m glad to meet you.)

- Shake hands again when leaving the meeting.

In a business setting give a business card when you meet someone. Your cards should show your organizational title and advanced degrees. Expect to exchange cards with each business person you meet.

It is polite for men to wait for the woman to extend her hand. Male visitors are no longer expected to kiss a woman's hand; instead, a slight bow may accompany the handshake.

Informal greetings between men and women friends and relatives are often a kiss on the cheeks, first left, then right. Kisses on the cheeks are not appropriate between men, except for close relatives and certain groups.

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Please share your observations and experiences!

Kris

www.filolog.com

Hi Kris

Thanks for the intresting topic - made me think.

Here is my little contribution:
Men always shake hands when they meet. But men and women normally only shake hands for the first time when they are introduced. This can be a bit awkward. Imagine, all my close colleagues are men, every day we meet to go out for lunch and we normally wait for each other at the entrance. Whenever a new colleague arrives he shakes hands with all the other men - and says hello to me. No handshaking. Now, if we were to meet for a private outing in the evening I would greet each newly arrived colleague with a pair of kisses on the cheeks as described by Kris. If I would happen to dislike one of my colleagues - nobody would get any kisses (I don't like to discriminate you see). If we were to meet for a conference evening - again, no kisses would be distributed. And we I would never shake hands with my male colleagues. However, I always shake hands with my clients regardless of their sex. Even if they come regularly.

Introducing yourself to a member of the opposite sex can be tricky too. If it is a business related issue then one should opt for handshaking. But if you're, say, at a private get together you may shake hands, kiss on the cheeks or both. And it can be rather uncomfortable when the two introducing parties have different ideas about how they should greet the other. There is really no rule. Some people will never miss an opportunity to kiss somebody, others will be more reserved and might even take it as an offence if anybody dares to kiss them.

Greeting between two women can be just as awkward, the informal greeting between women is kissing, hence the same problem can arise in a new company or at work too - should we kiss, or rather stick to handshaking. Personally, I wouldn't go kissing all my women colleagues at work every single day, the way men shake hands daily.

I would very much like to know what you all think about greeting by kissing on the cheeks. Do you approve of it, or do you sometimes have the feeling that unwanted intruders are breaking into your private zone?

Alice

Hi Alice,

Thank you so much - you are making this even more interesting.

I am a friendly and warm hearted Hungarian native. I like touching people I love (family members for example) but feel no desire kissing strangers. Blah! A hug would be better: expresses warmth and acceptance without the yuckiness (personal opinion).

Many Americans complain about a hug deficiency here in Hungary.

Is anyone out there who can relate?

Kris

Budapest - General Information for Visitors

Water
The tap water is safe to drink. Bottled water is sold with color coded labels: Pink - Non Carbonated (may have a mineral taste), Blue - Carbonated (Bubbly)

Electricity
The wall outlet is 220 Volts, You must use a converter for American appliances

Safety
As in all large cities, be careful with you personal belongings (wallet, purse, etc.)
NEVER leave your bag unattended - even at the meeting hall. Put you money in an inside pocket. On public transportation keep your hand on your bag. Be discreet!
Don't take money out in public. As in every country, thieves target foreigners at tourist sites & on crowded public transportation. Emergency Information >>> http://www.filolog.com/budapest_emergency.html

Money
The rate is currently fluctuating between 170 & 190 for the dollar & 250 to 270 for the Euro (see current Forint rates @ Currency Converter http://www.budapest-propertyfinder.com/xe.html). There is no commission on changing money in Hungary. NEVER change money with individuals on the street or near luxury hotels. Your best deal will be found using your bank card at the ATM. (You may be charged for using your card outside of your country by your Bank each time you withdraw
cash.) Banking in Hungary >>> http://www.filolog.com/banking.html

Telephone
The phone booths take coins or telephone cards. Local calls are 50 HUF for
1 minute. Use telephone cards for long distance calls. Be aware that calling from the hotel, they will charge triple! To call abroad, first dial 00, after the continuous tone, dial the country code & phone number.
Hungarian Information: 198 (Operators speak English)
Making phone calls >>> http://www.filolog.com/budapest_phone.html
Important phone numbers >>> http://www.filolog.com/budapest_phone_numbers.html

Emergency
General: (Fire, Medical & Police) Dial 112.
Medical: First Med Centers (http://www.firstmedcenters.com), an English speaking Medical Clinic, provides emergency services in Budapest.
Police: 438-8080 Hungarian Police Hotline (Operator speaks English)
More Emergency Information >>> http://www.filolog.com/budapest_general.html

Public Transportation
The Public Transportation network enables you to travel almost anywhere in Budapest. You must purchase a ticket before entering the transportation vehicle. Beware! You may be randomly checked for tickets - No ticket and you will pay a fine on the spot!!!
On the buses & trams there are small red boxes. Insert your ticket & pull the lever forward to validate your ticket. To ride on the metro, insert your ticket into one of the orange boxes at the top of the escalator where it will be electronically validated.
You must carry the validated ticket with you for the duration of the trip. Changing metros requires another ticket. The ticket checkers in Budapest will be identified with BKV arm bands. Show them the ticket. If you are checked & don't have the ticket, you will be fined (on-the-spot: 6,000.- HUF (about $35 or €25); later: 12,000.- HUF).
DO NOT hand your passport to anyone.
If you plan on traveling after 11:00 pm, check late schedules online (http://www.bkv.hu/english/ejszakai/index.html).
Ticket prices (feb. 2008):
Single ticket 270 HUF
Other types of Ticket Plans offered at Metro Stations
1 Day Travel Card 1550 HUF
3 Day Travel Card 3400 HUF
7 Day Travel Card 4000 HUF
10 Single Ticket Book 2350 HUF
20 Single Ticket Book 4300 HUF
More Budapest Public transportation >>> www.filolog.com/budapest_transportation.html

Taxis
The following Taxis are recommended
City Taxi: +36-1-211-1111
Buda Taxi: +36-1-233-3333
Tele5: +36-1-355-5555
Főtaxi: +36-1-222-2222
6X6 Taxi: +36-1-266-6666
Zona Taxi: +36-365-5555
Coming to the city from the Airport:
Airport MiniBus: 296-8555 (2300 HUF per person)
Zona Taxi: 4100 HUF per cab (4 people)
Airport MinBus: 5100 HUF per van (6-7 people) Arriving to Budapest >>> www.filolog.com/budapest_arrival.html

How to call a taxi: dial one of the numbers above & tell operator you speak English. They will ask you for the phone number you are calling from, and the address where you are.
You will be told an approximate time of taxi arrival. When in the taxi make sure the meter is "ON".

The meter starts at around 500.- HUF.
You may also "wave down" a taxi on the street (rates will be higher). Prices are higher at night & if your hotel calls for you. If your hotel calls a taxi for you specify the company you want, otherwise the hotel may call a private company at a higher rate.

Internet Access
There are many café's in Budapest where you can use the internet at very low prices. Many fast food restaurants offer internet kiosks.
Hot-spots in Budapest >>> http://www.hotspotter.hu/en/browse/cities/budapest

Housing
www.budapest-propertyfinder.com

Have a great time in Budapest !